Details
Lake Tahoe EIP
Performance Measure Info Sheet
Tons of Biomass Utilized
Performance Measure 21 - Tons of Biomass Utilized
Definition Amount of biomass material used for energy generation or other purposes that would have otherwise been burned on-site. Utilizing biomass improves Tahoe Basin air quality and creates an alternative energy source using the waste byproducts of fuels reduction work. This helps reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and other pollutant emissions.
Units tons
Primary Program Transportation Program
Guidance
Critical Definitions

Biomass – As a renewable energy source, biomass is biological material from living, or recently living organisms (Biomass Energy Centre, 2011). For EIP reporting purposes, biomass is the byproduct of fuels reduction treatment projects in the Tahoe Basin.

Utilization – An alternative use of woody biomass as opposed to pile burning. Facilities utilize biomass material from the Tahoe Basin for generating thermal and electrical energy, creating landscape materials such as compost and mulch, creating composite panels, and for use in soil restoration activities.

Green Ton – Traditional unit of measure used by industries that utilize biomass as a primary raw material. One green ton (GT) is 2,000 pounds of biomass (usually in chip form) with no correction for moisture content.

Prescribed burning – Reduces fuels by burning them on-site. Pile burning is used on steep slopes and where machines are prohibited. Broadcast burning is use to remove material left by chipping and mastication. Understory burning is used to mimic the historic process of low-intensity fire to restore forest health. See the Acres of Forest Fuels Reduction Treatment PM Information Sheet. 

Accounting Period and Scale

Biomass utilization accomplishments are reported after the sale and transfer to biomass facilities occurs. This information should be entered into the EIP Database by the implementing agency’s project manager within 30 days of completing each biomass transaction with a facility. All biomass utilization transactions should be entered into the EIP Database by the implementing entity’s reporting manager by December 31st of that year. EIP managers will start compiling reported data in October and will continue through December each year. Any information reported after December 31st will not be included in that year’s reporting totals.

Project Reporting
Project Reporting Guidance not yet defined
Subcategories
Subcategory Subcategory Options
Type of Utilization
Energy Generation, Other
Property Ownership
California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Tahoe Conservancy, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada State Parks, U.S. Forest Service, Private
Performance Measure Results
Definitions
Notes
By: Type of Utilization
Show Results: By Year
By: Property Ownership
Show Results: By Year
Programs
EIP Program Is Primary EIP Program
03.02 - Transportation Program
Background

Techniques used to measure the amount of biomass material generated from fuels reduction projects, as well as the process of selling woody biomass material, differs depending on the usage facility and selling agency. However, biomass is generally sold by weight. Once the biomass is collected, it is usually fed into a chipper and sent to a nearby biomass facility (Placer County, 2011). Undried biomass is generally weighed and paid for at the biomass facility (NV Division of Forestry, 2012). Some facilities purchase woody biomass material based on the BTU value delivered, and therefore adjust for moisture content. However, EIP reporting should be based on green tons (see definition above). Contracts are usually decided on prior to the collection of the biomass, specifying the amount of material needed over a certain period of time (Placer County, 2011). However, EIP staff should report actual tons of biomass generated and utilized, not amounts included in contract agreements.

The biomass material generated on private lands often does not get transferred to a biomass facility (CTC & NV Fire Safe Council, 2011). The Nevada Division of Forestry and Placer County have implemented biomass transfer or collection facilities that allow residents to dump biomass material. These bins are collected by the agencies, and those sent to biomass facilities should be weighed and reported in tons utilized (Placer County, 2011).